The sensational Crystal is hosting a blogathon dedicated to the talents of icons Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. I was more than happy to join in and celebrate the fineness of these two stars. For my celebration of Miss Hepburn, I decided to review the excellent adventure that is The African Queen. The next review for Spencer Tracy will be of Broken Lance.
Film Title
The African Queen
Director
John Huston
Starring
- Humphrey Bogart as Charlie Allnut
- Katharine Hepburn as Rose Sayer
- Robert Morley as Reverend Samuel Sayer
Filmed largely on location in well documented circumstances and benefiting from the direction John Huston and pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, The African Queen is high adventure that remains evergreen and always exciting.
It is 1914 in German East Africa and prim spinster Rose Sayer is along with her Reverend brother Samuel working as missionaries with a local village. With the First World War occurring at this point, uncertainty rises and escalates when the Germans set upon the village and burn it down. An injured Samuel submits to fever and quickly dies, leaving Rose devastated. Hope comes in the unlikely form of gin-swigging and uncouth tramp steamer owner Charlie Allnut; who delivers supplies to many villages and has met Rose before. Taking pity on her, he takes her aboard his steamer, known as The African Queen. Immediately, the two clash over a difference of opinion and anything they can. Rose is a well-bred, respectable lady who doesn’t take kindly to Charlie’s man about the world behaviour, while Charlie finds his lay about lifestyle challenged by a woman he considers prissy and obstinate. As they continue down the river, their bickering temporarily stops as Rose unusually suggests helping the War effort. Knowing that a German patrol ship blocks any path or form of attack later down the river, Rose suggests fashioning some of Charlie’s supplies into an array of combatants in order to sink the ship. Charlie thinks the idea is ridiculous at first, but getting to know Rose, agrees to her terms. Thus resumes the sniping and arguments as their journey to adventure is fraught with hot weather, dangerous tides and animals. Over this time of surviving the river, Charlie and Rose begin to fall in love, after much reluctance to acknowledge such feelings.
John Huston is the captain of this movie and his maverick spirit is never far from view. Choosing to shoot largely on location in Africa posed difficulties, but his sense of fun and blend of adventure, romance and humour is ideally pitched and depicted to such a loving degree. The initial set up is well done, but The African Queen truly gets going once both Rose and Charlie are on the eponymous boat and the oil-water dynamic sets in. Observing them clash due to different upbringings and divides is what gives The African Queen its playful spirit that no amount of time can diminish. Their impulsive plan to thwart the Germans is daring and the stuff of a Boy’s Own Adventure; ranking it for me as definite must see movie for anyone who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of viewing this classic. We have so many memorable moments to entertain here including riding through the rapids, Rose applying a multitude of salt to Charlie’s leech infested body and the overall journey down the river are just some of the highlights from this gloriously engaging adventure. There’s nary a dull moment as the script and energy keep things bubbling at a nice, exciting temperature. The African Queen is practically a roller coaster on water, with every turn bringing with it gorgeous views, multiple dangers and romance for our two principal characters. The location shooting, which has been extremely well documented for its tribulations, that ultimately added with the flavour of the film, make it adventure and fun of the highest denomination. A grand but always puckish score is the great accompaniment for Rose and Charlie down the river.
Humphrey Bogart collected an Oscar for his winning portrayal of a rough and ready but dissolutely charming captain. With his cheeky grin and gruffness being offset by the fact that he’s really a decent guy underneath it all, Bogart makes the role his own. Katharine Hepburn is equally as excellent with a blend of uptight primness and burgeoning spiritedness that is most accomplished. Hepburn is sharp, strong yet vulnerable and full of life, a mix that she inhabits with vigor. Watching as Rose emerges from her refined nature to becoming a lively heroine of resilience is a great thing and completely down to the greatness of Katharine Hepburn and her talent. And watching the chemistry between the two as they bristle and bicker, before coming to love the other is just another string in the movie’s impressive bow. It’s a shame these two stars didn’t make any other movies together as their chalk and cheese personalities would have been well served if given the chance. Robert Morley appears briefly as Rose’s brother, whose death fills her with a desire to help the War effort in her own way.
The African Queen is fine movie making and a deserved classic that has lost none of its original charm or fun factor. If you haven’t seen it, I implore you to do so for its adventure and pairing of Bogart and Hepburn.
sonofabeach96 said:
Fantastic film. The chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn was perfectly on display. 👍🏻😃
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vinnieh said:
They were perfect together. A great case of opposites attracting and having fun.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Yep. It was quite humorous to see her have to get dirty. She was so great. 😃
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vinnieh said:
Yes, given that she is so proper and well brought up, it’s funny to see her become someone different.
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sonofabeach96 said:
She pulled it off like a champ too. Loved her gumption. I bet she was tough as nails inside that prim and proper attitude. 😃
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vinnieh said:
Yes, by all accounts Hepburn was very spirited and individual. Clearly no ones fool and someone who brought a modernism to the film’s she appeared in.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Well said! I was just gonna call her a badass! Your way was much more eloquent. 😃
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vinnieh said:
I try to be an eloquent gentleman, but sometimes the occasion calls to say bad ass.
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sonofabeach96 said:
I can be an eloquent gentleman, but I generally default to blunt. 😃😃
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vinnieh said:
It’s best to be a mix.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Hahaha! A Renaissance man, right? 😃
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vinnieh said:
You got it.
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sonofabeach96 said:
😃👍🏻
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Meg said:
This is a favorite film of mine, with two of my favorite actors. Great review, Vinnie! Makes me want to watch it again soon. 😊
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vinnieh said:
They make a sublime double act here. Bickering and grousing but ultimately loving the other. I’m happy my review could provide that for you Meg.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
Great film. I love the slow build of their relationship, and how their opinions of one another change. Love the music too.
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vinnieh said:
Yes, the build is pretty fine as their differences fade and love blooms.
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beetleypete said:
One of the best two-handers ever made. This was another good one though.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050490/
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I’ve seen the other movie some time ago and liked it. A two hander is always something interesting. Especially when done well and with fine acting.
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raistlin0903 said:
One has to respect and love the classics. Some filns just never get old it seems. I have to admit that I haven’t seen this one (yet), but your review makes it to be a fantastic watch. It certainly helps to have such terrific actors in it as well. As always: amazing post 😀
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vinnieh said:
Yes, old movies deserve the credit and respect. Without them, we wouldn’t have movies now. This is an evergreen movie and so much fun.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Great choice and review Vinnie. This is definitely on my top 10 list of Hollywood classics.☺️
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vinnieh said:
It never gets old for me. On multiple viewings, it never fails to make me smile. That for me is the sign of a good movie. Plus, I love the interplay of Bogart and Hepburn.
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Orvillewrong said:
A fitting tribute to two Hollywood legends!
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vinnieh said:
They deserve all the credit for what they brought to cinema.
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Orvillewrong said:
Definitely they both made many fine films
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Elizabeth said:
Hepburn lived on the Connecticut shore where she is very fondly remembered. There is a cultural center there named “The Kate” where we have listened to music. The lobby has all sorts of movie memorabilia from her career. Very fun.
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vinnieh said:
That’s very fascinating. I have a lot of time for Katharine Hepburn. I appreciate her individuality and spirit.
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Virginie Pronovost said:
” The African Queen is practically a roller coaster on water, with every turn bringing with it gorgeous views, multiple dangers and romance for our two principal characters.” –> YES! If someone needs to be convinced to see this film I guess they just have to read your great review! I can say, without any hesitation, that The African Queen is my favourite adventure movie. I just love everything about it: the actors, the character, the story and the overall challenge of shooting this. Amazing film. I’m glad Humphrey won an Oscar for his role.
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vinnieh said:
Your comment has made my day. I did my best to capture the essence of the movie as well as I could. I’m happy to see my enthusiasm came through.
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Virginie Pronovost said:
I’m glad it did! 😀
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vinnieh said:
And I promise to visit your blog more and catch up.
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Virginie Pronovost said:
Btw, I was wondering if you might be interested to join my Grace Kelly blogathon! https://thewonderfulworldofcinema.wordpress.com/2017/10/17/the-third-wonderful-grace-kelly-blogathon-is-back-in-november/
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vinnieh said:
I’d be thrilled to take part. I’ll be over to your blog soon to check that post out.
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thestoryenthusiast said:
Brilliant review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your support.
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ninvoid99 said:
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen it as I’ve been meaning to rewatch. I have a book by Katharine Hepburn about her experience in making the film which was given to me by someone who was a frequent visitor at a used record store I used to go.
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vinnieh said:
I’d be very interested in that book.
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Le said:
The African Queen is so good: a perfect blend of adventure, romance, comedy and action! Huston could not have picked two better lead actors!
Great review!
Don’t forget to read my contribution to the blogathon! 🙂
Cheers!
Le
http://www.criticaretro.blogspot.com
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment, much appreciated. I promise to check your blog soon.
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keepsmealive said:
I have a co-worker who loves this film. Every time I get a copy of it across my desk she says “you need to watch that!”
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vinnieh said:
She is right! This is essential movie watching.
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alexraphael said:
I didn’t like the plot so much, but what a delight to see them star alongside each other. An absolute pleasure. And I love the encdotes from the movie too.
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vinnieh said:
It’s like an endless roller coaster that both go on. Or if you like an assault course on water.
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alexraphael said:
I don’t know how I missed this post first time around
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vinnieh said:
Don’t worry, there;s plenty of posts I still need to catch up on.
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alexraphael said:
I went back to check a few of your older posts and I think I’m ok haha. Guess I needed a Vinnie fix.
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vinnieh said:
A Vinnie fix, eh? I can live with that.
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In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood said:
Hi Vinnie. Thanks so much for participating in the blogathon. I’m really sorry for the late reply. I’ve been away sick. “The African Queen” is one of my favorite movies, and you’re excellent post certainly did it justice. You are a great writer.
I’ve also just announced another blogathon, and I would like to invite you to join in. Here is the link below with more details.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your praise. Hope you are feeling a lot better after being sick. I’ll head over to that link shortly.
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